Blog
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Safeguards for Churches
Southern Baptists are a force for good – I have been inspired by Dr. Jeff Iorg’s common refrain as I have traveled with him and met Southern Baptist leaders. For more than 100 years, Southern Baptists have been a force for good throughout the U.S. and around the globe. We could spotlight the work of…
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Rotten Fruit: Sexual Sin in Culture
Sometimes life gets busy. Too busy to even take a piece of fruit for a quick snack when running out the door. This can have a negative effect when we purchase fruit for a healthy snack then let too much time go by and that fruit can deteriorate and turn from being something delicious and…
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Loving the Vulnerable with Your Actions
Sexual assault is an epidemic in America. Per Rape & Incest National Network (RAINN), every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted, and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. That should get your attention! It’s horrifying. It’s evil. For me, this issue is personal. As a parent of a young man affected by developmental and…
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Safeguarding the Vulnerable: Why Canadian Churches Must Prioritize Abuse Prevention
In recent years, the Canadian Church has come under increased scrutiny regarding its response to allegations of child abuse and clergy sexual misconduct. These incidents are not only morally reprehensible and spiritually devastating—they also carry serious legal and financial implications. Churches are entrusted with the care of the most vulnerable among us. To honour that…
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Suggested Best Practices for Use of the DOB and SSN in Searching for Criminal Records
Screening and training of childcare workers is a must for any child- and youth-serving organization. Parents entrust our organizations with the care of their children, so we have a responsibility to be diligent in discerning who has access to those children. If our ministries are to be safe places for kids to hear the gospel,…
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So You Want to Be a Child Safety Coordinator… Maybe?
I get it—child safety isn’t exactly the role everyone’s lining up for. It doesn’t come with confetti, stage time, or a cool Spotify playlist. But if you’ve found yourself here—whether by calling, conviction, or maybe just a “you’d be great at this!” conversation with your pastor—let me encourage you: it’s worth it. Like, really worth…
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Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Laws: What Church Leaders Must Know
Every state has a mandatory child-abuse reporting law on the books. But many pastors and church leaders are unaware of these statutes, let alone their need to comply with them. Now is the time for church leaders to familiarize themselves with these laws, how they work, and what to do if the unthinkable–a suspected case…